The cost of running the central government property estate has been cut by £278m in the financial year 2010-11, Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said today (23 May).
Figures from the annual State of the Estate report on the size and cost of the public property estate during 2011 reveal that:
• the overall size of the central estate fell by 5.8%;
• the number of property holdings fell by 11.1%;
• running costs reduced by £278m year-on-year;
• CO2 emissions fell by 13.8%;
• the average cost of office space is 16% less than the private sector average; and
• more than half of government buildings with energy display certificates had an energy efficiency rating better than the industry standard.
Maude said: “Taxpayers should not foot the bill for property that isn’t needed and that’s why this government introduced strict property controls when we came into office. Since May 2010 we have exited 904 properties, saving millions as well as providing vital opportunities for regeneration in local communities.
“The government estate is now greener, leaner and cheaper to run. Today’s report shows just how much we can achieve when the government acts as a single organisation, but there’s more to be done to drive out inefficiency.
“By consolidating our property estate we are helping transform the way government works, introducing modern, flexible workplaces to drive up productivity and innovation.”
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
